WOONSOCKET – Police called to Landmark Medical Center used pepper spray to subdue a subject on Friday, Sept. 13, and the substance got into the hospital's ventilation system briefly shutting down the emergency room.

“During their response, pepper spray was utilized in our emergency room area to subdue an individual," said Landmark spokesman Bill Fischer. "Unfortunately, the pepper spray was pulled into the emergency room’s ventilation system.”

According to a release from the hospital, only one patient was affected and the damage was described as minimal. As a result of the incident, the hospital briefly closed down the ER, diverting ambulances to other area hospitals.

The hospital's emergency care wing was back in service after around two hours Friday evening.